Former Armstrong teammate guilty of doping

South African cyclist David George releases a statement after testing positive for banned substance Erythropoietin.

Tue Nov 06 2012 19:50:48 GMT+0000

The Lance Armstrong scandal has led to a number of cyclists being found guilty or admitting to doping [AP]

South African cyclist David George, a former teammate of Lance Armstrong, has tested positive for the banned drug EPO (Erythropoietin), he said on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old former Olympian returned a positive sample after an out-of-competition test conducted by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) in August.

"On 29th August 2012, I returned an out-of-competition positive test for Erythropoietin," George said in a statement.

"I will not be asking for a B sample to be tested as I know the result will ultimately be the same."

George, who rode alongside Armstrong in the 1999 and 2000 seasons as part of the U.S. Postal Service team, has been provisionally suspended pending an investigation by an independent tribunal.

"I would like to apologise to my sponsors, who have given me every opportunity to chase a dream, and teammates, for whom I have the utmost respect. I will endeavour to make right where humanly possible"

David George

American Armstrong was banned for life and stripped of his seven Tour de France titles last month after former team mates testified that he had been involved in what the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) described as "the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping program the sport has ever seen".

George's statement added: "I fully understand the consequences of my admission and will bear the results of this.

"Cycling, as you know, has been a confusing space and although it has given me incredible moments it has also given me experiences that no person or young athlete should have to go through.

"I would like to apologise to my sponsors, who have given me every opportunity to chase a dream, and teammates, for whom I have the utmost respect. I will endeavour to make right where humanly possible."